Xtremis lands over $80 million in U.S. Army contracts

Technology startup Xtremis has received U.S. Army contracts valued at more than $80 million to implement Xtremis’ artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to improve troops’ situational awareness and management of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In April, Xtremis announced plans to build a high-tech laboratory in Washington County. Under the first of two contracts, Xtremis will work with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to create novel AI testbed infrastructure for spectrum technology research and experimentation.

The second contract, with the Army DEVCOM C5ISR Center, will introduce a new generation of AI algorithms that support the real-time characterization, synchronization and navigation of devices in the spectrum.

“The use of electronic warfare in Ukraine has been a wakeup call for militaries around the world,” said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers. “The Army’s ability to fight and win the next major conflict depends on out-maneuvering enemies in the electromagnetic spectrum. I’m proud that the technologies being developed in Northwest Arkansas by Xtremis will help soldiers maintain overmatch on our adversaries.”

The University of Arkansas is collaborating with Xtremis to develop its Devil’s Den Proving Ground, which a startup fund of Little Rock-based Winrock International is backing.

“The leading-edge research and technology of the University of Arkansas and Xtremis will protect those who protect us – our soldiers,” said Charles Robinson, chancellor of the University of Arkansas. “We look forward to further collaboration in spectrum-related applied research to support security and drive innovation for both military and civilian applications.”

In April, Xtremis CEO Adam ‘Jay’ Harrison said its Northwest Arkansas work would focus on developing technology to allow radios to operate “with higher performance in congested environments.” The technology will allow more radio transmitters to operate “simultaneously without interfering with one another.”

Harrison previously said the cost to build the Devil’s Den Proving Ground ranged between $15 million and $20 million. According to the release, Priority Bank in Prairie Grove provided financing for the campus. Harrison noted that Xtremis selected Northwest Arkansas for the site because the UA has a research program in place that aligns with its work and can provide a talent pipeline for the startup’s work.

Xtremis was spun out of Vanderbilt University in 2021 to commercialize research that allows radios to share spectrum and avoid interference. Xtremis started working with the UA in 2023 to research improved antenna designs for spectrum monitoring and redevelop the site of the former Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor (SEFOR) into a first-of-its-kind advanced spectrum technology campus. It will include the infrastructure required for developing “spectrum-agile technologies that can perform in congested or contested environments,” the release shows.

“We envision that DDPG will become a focal point for collaboration between universities, industry and the military to catalyze the development of new autonomous wireless technologies serving both civilian and military needs,” Harrison said.

The release shows the global wireless connectivity market is projected to rise to a value of $142.5 billion in 2024 from $127.5 billion in 2023, with an annual growth rate of about 12% through 2032. The military wireless communications market is projected to grow to $43.6 billion by 2032 from $29.5 billion in 2024.

“U.S. national security depends on staying ahead of adversaries’ attempts to disrupt communication networks, which is why Xtremis’ research and application initiatives are so critical,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. “Arkansas is proud to host this pioneering work through a strong partnership with the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Devil’s Den Proving Ground project is a great example of how legacy infrastructure like SEFOR can be repurposed to support innovation and economic development in high-demand areas such as AI and advanced wireless communications.”